Is this just a big Song Thrush...or?

tich007mt · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:08 PM

This big thrush came in my garden late afternoon today. It looked as big as a Blackbird and looked bold and brassy - very colourful. Is it just a big Song Thrush or might it be a Mistle Thrush?

Cheers

Tich

JeffH · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:14 PM

Looks like a Mistle Thrush to me Tich. Your 2nd photo shows the characteristic pale edges to dark wing feathers.

Jeff

demicav · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:16 PM

looks like a Song thrush to me but knowing me I'm probably wrong. I still struggle telling the difference between the two sometimes

.

demicav · #4 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffH

Looks like a Mistle Thrush to me Tich. Your 2nd photo shows the characteristic pale edges to dark wing feathers.

Jeff

Ooops, there you go, just goes to show I havn't quite learnt how to tell the difference at all yet. Still a long way to go.

I know I once started a thread about it a while back, HELP.

ChrisJB · #5 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:25 PM

This is a Song Thrush. Warm tones on the breast, with clear arrowhead spots.

Regards, Chris

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:31 PM

Song Thrush for me, though the plumage has colder, grey tones than most; possibly a continental bird wintering here as they are usually greyer than our resident birds.

MagpieMick · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:38 PM

Song Thrush for sure.........

tich007mt · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:39 PM

Thanks everyone - it fits the description of the Song Thrush apart from it's size and how it flew off when disturbed. It really was at least as big as a blackbird and when I went outside to try and see it closer it flew off to high branches not low as described in book.

Cheers

Tich

Ukwildlifeo · #9 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:42 PM

I was going to say mistle thrush, but the v shaped flecks/spots are indicative of a song thrush. Looking at my bird book the song thrush has a ligher lower bill and the wing colour/pattern matches too. so song thrush

mrs fish · #10 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 06:18 PM

They are lovely thrush pics

Paul mabbott · #11 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 06:53 PM

On the second picture I'd certainly go for mistlethrush.
Could you not get some estimate of its size?

aeshna5 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

On the second picture I'd certainly go for mistlethrush.
Could you not get some estimate of its size?

Amongst other things the spots are the wrong shape for Mistle Thrush, which have roundish spots not the arrow-shaped spots seen here, typical feature of Song Thrush.

big bill · #13 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 07:05 PM

Both are pics of the Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) read an article in this month Birding mag one way to tell is the Song Thrush has arrow shaped markings on its chest whilst the Mistle are more rounded nice pics though well done

demicav · #14 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 07:16 PM

Turns out there's hope for me yet.

JeffH · #15 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 09:54 PM

Although ChrisJB, UKwildlifeo, aeshna5 and big bill all suggest that the arrowhead or 'V' shaped spots indicate a Song Thrush, according to several authorities this is not a definitive feature with the same shape of spots sometimes being seen on the Mistle Thrush - see Hollom (Popular Handbook) and also the Mistle Thrush photo on p.361 of Birds Brittanica by Cocker and Mabey.

Jeff